mb20mom

I too am having my surgery through Kaiser in So. Cal. I have 4 more classes left and met with the doctor yesterday and said he would put me through for surgery at West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital (1 hour away, my classes are in Riverside). I've just finished losing my 10% required weight of 27 lbs. They told us a few weeks ago that Kaiser has stopped doing the LapBand due to too many complications. Most of the surgeries they do for RNY and Sleeve are done by contracted surgery centers, so I was pleased to hear that mine would be at a Kaiser hospital, just wish it was closer. JageK, how long did they have you stay in the hospital? Did UCLA do your pre-op tests? Curious since my doc said he didn't need to do any tests since I'm being referred to a Kaiser location.

Hi Lilu, I'm currently in the Kaiser program in Riverside. It's a required 24-week class before even getting on the waiting list for surgery. Yes they do sub out the surgery and what they've been telling us the last few weeks is that Harbor City is only offering the bypass (no lapband/sleeve) and none of the other subs will allow Kaiser patients anymore because it's causing the wait to be too long for other patients. They're working on finding other surgeons, but none are ready yet. I'm hoping something gets lined up by the time I'm done with classes. I'm only on week 9 or 10, trying not to concentrate on how painfully slow the whole process it. You'll need to lose 20-30 lbs during the course of the classes. Good luck, and hang in there!

I don't know what city you're in, but my doctor is at the Corona Office and is Dr. Lewis Ha. He thought about my referral for all of 30 seconds and said ya, I'll refer you for the lapband. It was that easy.

I've enjoyed milk and dairy my whole life, then all of a sudden about a year ago I can't tolerate drinking milk. The gas and bloating is so painful. I switched to Lactaid milk and can drink it with no problem. I can eat every other dairy no problem, so I don't understand. I'm not sleeved or banded yet, just wanted to let you know that sometimes it can just be age and hormones I think...so maybe you will only have a problem with ice cream, who know?

I'm 6 weeks into the 24week Options Program in So. Calif. Kaiser. Presently they aren't offering the lap band anymore until they can get some more surgeons contracted in the area. They prefer and recommend the RNY surgery over lapband, which I'm not interested in at all. I'll just crawl through the process in hopes that they have surgeons lined up by the time I get to the end. I'm 10 pounds down so far with 17 more required by the time I get surgery. I'm curious how many people go thru the Options program and don't get the surgery because they've learned how to do it on their own. The waiting is maddening...Mexico is not that far away from me....hmmmm.

Hi Guys, I'm in the Options Program thru Kaiser in Riverside. I'm only on week 6 of 24. What a painfully slow process this is. They're telling us that there is NO lapband surgery being offered anymore, until they can get more places contracted. I'm hoping they'll have one lined up by the time I'm done. They really push the RNY, and not the lapband. Also, they will be starting the Options classes at the Corona facility soon, in case anyone is interested. (I live in Corona, but since I started in Riverside I think I have to stay) I'm confused about the Harbor City location, whether they are doing lapband anymore or not, as they made it sound like they weren't...maybe it's just that the wait is 6 mos? As popular as the band is getting, I'm really surprised they don't just do the surgery themselves, at every one of their hospitals!

Donna2153, I think I was in that same orientation class with you. And yes I agree that they push the bypass surgery over the lapband, and they still say they aren't scheduling any new lapband surgeries. They are going to start classes in Corona though, which is where I usually go for appts. I just hope one of these days they say they're going to start doing the lapband at the Riverside hospital or the Ontario surgery center! But at least I'm losing a little weight and if I keep losing maybe I'll just continue on my own...we'll see. Yes, keep in touch!

That was a smart way to go. I'm stuck in this 6-8 month Kaiser program in Riverside before I can get the surgery and it is painfully slow, very discouraging since I want the surgery NOW. Anyway I just wanted to say hi since I saw that you are in Riverside. Good luck to you. You'll probably have lost all your weight by the time I get my band! :smile:

OMG you are so lucky! I'm in the So. Calif. Kaiser Options program and they still require the 24 weeks of classes. I'm only on week 4 and it is very discouraging that I have to wait so long. And we've been told the waiting period AFTER the program is up to 3 months before surgery gets scheduled. I suppose I can hope for a revamp like yours is doing, but it doesn't look likely..good luck with your PCP!

Yes, I'm dealing with Kaiser in So. Cal. and it is a very long process. It's taken me 2 mos just to get to this point which is the beginning of the 24 week classes, then the say it could be up to 6 months afterwards to be considered for surgery. :thumbup: It's very discouraging. You are lucky to go so fast.

Wow, that pretty much sums up exactly what I've encountered with my program at Kaiser (in Riverside). You're right, it is a looong process. I just got the call yesterday to start in an Options class this Friday, so I'm thrilled to finally get it going...just 6 short months to go.. but I am so looking forward to the prize at the end. Week #1, here I go.